Component package with dust cover



y 1969 T. J. LUNSFORD 3,444,993

COMPONENT PACKAGE WITH DUST COVER Filed April 23, 1968 FIG. 3

FIGZ

INVENTOR.

THOMAS J. LUNSFORD United States Patent 3,444,993 COMPONENT PACKAGE WITH DUST COVER Thomas J. Lunsford, 378 W. Madison, El Cajon, Calif. 92020 Filed Apr. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 723,390 Int. Cl. B65d 83/00 U.S. Cl. 20656 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A component package with dust cover having first and second package members, one of the members having a protrusion and the other member having a complementary recess, said protrusion and recess each having a component recess dimensioned for receiving a component to be packaged, a plurality of latching bubbles for holding said first and second package members together in a press in relationship, and one or both of said component recesses being perforated for snap-out removal with a component mounted therein for providing a dust cover as an integral part of the component package.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to a component package with a snap-out dust cover and more particularly to a component package with a snap-out dust cover which is integral with the package.

In many packaging situations, it is necessary, when the component is removed from the package, to provide a dust cover during installation and shipment. An example of this, is the electrical receptacle where the female side (which can be both sides, in some instances) requires a dust cover to prevent dust from entering into the contact recesses during installation on a front panel of electronics equipment, for example, and during shipment of the equipment to its destination. This, in many instances, has required the separate fabrication of a dust cover dimensioned for a snug fit around the plug.

According to the invention, a component package is provided having first and second component members press fit together with a series of cooperating, latching bubbles. One or both members has a recess dimensioned for receiving the component to be packaged. One or both of the recesses is perforated for allowing the component to be snapped out with the recess forming a dust cover in place. This obviates the necessity of securing an additional dust cover to the component once it is removed from its shipping package.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a component package with an integral snap-out dust cover.

Another object is the provision of a component package having integral snap-out dust covers on two sides of a component.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a component package with integral snap-out dust covers which is extremely inexpensive and simple to manufacture and extremely convenient in use.

Yet another object is the provision of a component package with integral snap-out dust covers which can be conveniently opened and re-closed.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially broken away of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross section of one package of the present invention; and,

Patented May 20, 1969 FIG. 3 is an exploded side cross section of one package of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a bottom plastic strip shown generally at 11 is in operable proximity and partially engaged with a top plastic strip shown generally at 12. Bottom plastic strip 11 has a plurality of sections 13 each having a pedestal 14 with a recess 16 therein. Each recess 16 has a perforated section 17 around its periphery. A plurality of latching bubbles 18 surround each pedestal portion 14.

Top plastic strip 12 has a plurality of sections 15 each having a plurality of latching bubbles 19 surrounding its base and a component recess 21 which is perforated where it reaches the top of recesses 20. Each of the sections 13 and 15 are separated by perforations 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, bottom section 13 has component recess 16 with a component 23 mounted therein. Component 23 is also mounted within component recess 21 of recess 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, bottom section 13 is shown with component recess 16 removed therefrom with component 23 in spaced relationship therewith. Component recess 21 is also shown removed from recess 20. Component 23 in this instance, an electric plug, has a central flange 25. Latching bubbles 18 and 19 cooperate to press fit bottom package member '13 and top package member 15.

Operation In loading the component package with a component, one of the strips 11 or 12 is placed on a flat surface and the components press fitted into either recesses 16 or 21. Then the other strip is placed over it in a cooperating physical position and press fit over the extending components. In some instances, it will not be necessary to have a component recess in both strips, but only one depending upon the individual component. The component illustrated here is an electrical receptacle having female receptacles on each side requiring dust covers. Hence, in this instance, it is required that there will be a component recess comprising a detachable dust cover in each of the two package members. When it is desired to remove the component, the component recess 21 is merely pushed which will pop it through its perforations out through recesses 20 after which the reverse takes place, i.e., the component is pressed popping it out through the top of pedestal 14 and the remaining parts of package members 13 and 15 removed, leaving component 23 with a dust cover on each side.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purpose of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. A component package with dust cover comprising:

first and second package members;

said first package member having a protrusion;

said second package member having a recess cooperating with said protrusion;

a first component recess in said protrusion;

said first component recess being dimensioned for snugly receiving a predetermined component; and said component recess being perforated at its base; and

a second component recess in said second package member recess;

said second component recess being dimensioned for snugly receiving said predetermined component; said second component recess being perforated at its base.

2. A component package with dust cover comprising: first and second package members;

said first package member having a protrusion;

a component recess in said protrusion;

said component recess being dimensioned for snugly 5 receiving a predetermined component; and said component recess being perforated at its base. 3. A component package with dust cover comprising: first and second package members; said first package member having a protrusion; 1

said second package member having a recess cooperating with said protrusion;

a component recess in said second package member recess;

said component recess being dimensioned for snugly receiving said predetermined component;

said component recess being perforated at its base.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,184,319 5/1965 Fritsche. 3,351,192 11/1967 La Plante.

JAMES B. MARBERT, Primary Examiner. 

